Williamston council to borrow for upgrade to wastewater system

WILLIAMSTON - The town council agreed Wednesday to issue a bond-anticipation note for upgrades to the wastewater treatment system.

Work on the project is expected to start soon.

Mayor Carthel Crout told the council that the town needed to borrow money to start construction and said the money would be paid back from the loan-grant the town was receiving from the Rural Utilities Service.

Administrator Phyllis Lollis told the council the town would be barrowing $2,743,000 at 2.63 percent interest for 12 months from BB&T bank.

"We need to get started on the wastewater treatment upgrades," Crout said.

Council member Marion Middleton Jr. said the money would go to the Rural Utilities Service in a special account and payback was guaranteed.

The loan will allow the town to start putting out bids on the project.

In other action, the council agreed to buy a new police car to replace one that was wrecked several weeks ago.

Police Chief Richard Inman said a new 2010 Crown Victory would cost about $34,600 with all the equipment but the price could come down if the department was able to use some of the equipment from the old vehicle.

The council also agreed to have an irrigation system installed for the Municipal Center by Dalton Turf and Irrigation, which was the lowest bidder at $5,475.

Crout said the bid submitted was a wintertime bid and the council needed to act on it before the price went up.